Students at the University of Edinburgh have formed a new debate society amid fears free speech is being threatened at British universities.
The new society call the Edinburgh Union is based on similar societies at Oxford and Cambridge which invite public figures to take part in debates.
Although a student debating society already exists at Edinburgh, it focuses on student competitions and does not tend to feature guest speakers.
The founders of the new union wanted to create a place where ideas can be channelled “constructively”, according to The Telegraph.
They also warned that conversations around politics are becoming “increasingly polarised”.
The organisers did emphasise that the new society was formed before the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was well known for attending similar debates.
The 31-year-old was shot during a rally at Utah Valley University, and his murder has sparked free speech debates across the UK, especially after comments from the Oxford Union’s President-Elect appeared to celebrate his death.
The messages have since been removed by George Abaraonye who will face disciplinary proceedings as well as a vote of no confidence when he starts his position next month.
The new Union at the University of Edinburgh will be based on those in Oxford and Cambridge
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The Edinburgh Union will welcome former SNP grandee Fergus Ewing and former leader of the Scottish Conservatives Baroness Annabel Goldie for their inaugural debate on Scottish independence next Monday.
The Union’s first President, Finn Tyson, said: “The Edinburgh Union seeks to spark open dialogue in the capital, in a way that is not seen anywhere else in Scotland.
“We want to give students and staff the chance to engage in-person with big ideas, challenge perspectives, and form their own views through reasoned debate – all in a way that reflects the diversity and voice of Scotland’s student population.”
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Former SNP grandee Fergus Ewing and former leader of the Scottish Conservatives Baroness Annabel Goldie have been invited to the inaugural debate
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Although a separate union, the Edinburgh University Debates Union (EUDU) has existed since 1890, the Edinburgh Union hopes to set itself apart by having speakers debate in the British parliamentary style, based on the House of Commons.
It will also have no specific dress code, unlike the Oxford and Cambridge Unions which require those involved to wear black tie, to ensure the environment remains “accessible and inclusive”.
Six debates will be held throughout this academic term at Rainy Hall in New College.
Topics are set to cover assisted dying and if traditional masculinity is damaging men and society.
Free speech has seemed increasingly under threat at universities, however, in August new laws came into place to protect free speech in English institutions.
Under the new regulations, universities must “actively promote academic freedom” and are not allowed to use non-disclosure agreements to silence victims of campus misconduct.
In March, the University of Sussex received a record fine of £585,000 after it was found to have failed to uphold free speech.
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